Process for natural recycling of protein waste

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and process for naturally recycling poultry carcasses for use as a nutritional supplement, the apparatus generally consists of four modules: an enzymatic digest medium mixing assembly that self adjusts for pH; a mobile grinding assembly mounted on a truck trailer; a digesting and emulsifying assembly which includes a heated tank and separator; and a drying system. Carcasses are loaded into the grinder, and the ground carcasses are pumped into a storage tank with the enzymatic digest medium to produce a protein soluble mixture. The particle size of this mixture is then further reduced, and transported to a centralized and stationary processing plant for digesting and emulsifying. The remaining emulsified proteins are then dried. The resulting pellet-like pieces are uniformly sized for packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to naturally recycling proteinwaste into feed and, more specifically, to an apparatus and process forenzymatically digesting, emulsifying and drying protein waste includingfeathers for use in animal feed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A mass of waste is accumulated on a regular basis in such operations aspoultry production facilities. Protein waste such as carcasses fromanimal production facilities pose problems for disposal. Carcasses arecurrently disposed of in many ways including land filling and burning.Natural gas production from waste materials is also known in the art andsuch processes typically also result in a byproduct which is used asanimal feed or fertilizer. Some facilities process the protein waste toproduce a component for animal feed but these plants often are notdesigned to provide a mostly closed system and, consequently, air,moisture, and other contaminants may enter creating an environment wheremicroorganisms can multiply and destroy the quality or usefulness of theprocessed protein waste.

And, although there may be processing plants at which protein waste maybe disposed and recycled, there is not an efficient way to remove thewaste from the site to the processing plant in such time and conditionas necessary for efficient processing. The timing of such disposal isessential to managing toxicity and odors yet it is not feasible for eachanimal production plant to also operate a processing plant for itsprotein waste.

Animal feed requires a protein component. In addition to the carcasseswhich can be processed for protein recovery, feathers are inexpensiveand also high in protein, however, feathers are difficult for animals todigest. And, although there are processes known for forming feathermeal, often these processes require steam which, if too hot, willdenature the proteins in the feathers and reduce their nutritionalvalues. It is also known that certain bacterial strains producekeratinase which is an enzyme capable of degrading feathers and that,properly employed, such degradation can result in material that can beused in animal feeds. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,908,220; 4,959,311.

In addition, it is known in the art to provide a means to grind swine orpoultry waste and then mix it with ingredients that will facilitatefermentation of the protein waste. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,788. Theinvention disclosed therein provides a specific grinding mechanism whichincludes a grinding drum with a helical groove on its outer surface inwhich a length of chainsaw chain, teeth side out, is positioned. Thisinvention also does not include a way to re-circulate and thoroughly mixthe ground protein and catalyst but, instead, depends on a meteredapplication of catalyst to the ground protein waste as it moves past thegrinder wherein the metering of the catalyst is triggered by the load onthe grinder. This is deficient in that no additional mixing of theground protein waste and catalyst is contemplated such that there issubstantial risk that it will not be appropriately mixed and thecatalytic action will be hampered.

What is needed is a way for the animal production facilities toefficiently and timely dispose of animal waste in such a way that isnon-toxic and odor free. In addition, the system has to be affordablefor the animal production facilities and the resultant recycled productmust be usable. Preferably, a mostly closed system should be used toeliminate environmental contaminants and to provide avenues forrecycling by-products. Finally, for any disposal of feathered animals,the system must provide a method of breaking down not only softerprotein sources, but also feathers and in a manner that does notdenature or destroy the food value of the proteins.

The first objective of the present invention is to provide a systemwherein animal protein waste is processed in such a way that a portionof the system may be mobile and can be taken from one animal productionfacility to another or simply positioned at one facility until itreaches capacity;

The second objective of the present invention is to provide a proteinprocessing system which is capable of degrading feathers withoutdestroying their food value;

The third objective of the present invention is to provide a way formany different and maybe distant animal production facilities to haveroutine access to a processing facility;

The fourth objective of the present invention is to use natural meansfor recycling and breaking down the animal protein wastes and to recycleby-products of the process;

The fifth objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatusthat provides mixing and grinding capabilities associated with oneanother in a manner that results in a mostly closed system which is anefficient process for digesting, emulsifying and drying the recycledprotein waste while also providing a means for recycling otherbyproducts such as water and for minimizing growth of bacteria and otherdamaging microorganisms.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an apparatus and process for naturallyrecycling poultry carcasses for use as a nutritional supplement. Theapparatus generally has four modules:

1. a pH adjustable enzymatic digest medium mixing assembly,

2. a mobile grinding assembly mounted on a truck trailer,

3. a digesting and emulsifying assembly which includes a heated tank andseparator,

4. and a drying system.

The enzymatic digest medium of the preferred embodiment includesprotease/keratinase, inedible egg, water, and a preservative. The digestmedium mixing assembly is equipped with a pH probe and monitor whichtriggers the addition of an acidic solution as needed to adjust the pHof the enzymatic digest.

The mobile grinding assembly can be moved from one animal productionfacility to another or can remain at one facility. The mobile grindingassembly of the preferred embodiment is mounted on a trailer andincludes a holding tank for the enzymatic digest medium and a conveyorfor loading carcasses into a grinder. The remainder of the grindingassembly is a closed system. Once through the grinder, the groundcarcasses are pumped into a storage tank with the enzymatic digestmedium to produce a protein solubles mixture. This mixture is thenrecirculated through a chopper pump for a few minutes to further reduceparticle size of the ground protein waste and assure adequate mixing ofthe digest and the proteins and then pumped into a tanker truck fortransport. Multiple batches of the protein solubles mixture can begenerated so that the storage tanks are filled and emptied as many timesas necessary until all the waste has been disposed. Then, the mobilegrinding assembly can be moved to another location or it can simplyremain until it is needed again.

The protein solubles mixture created by the mobile grinding assembly isthen moved to a centralized and stationary processing plant andtransferred from the tanker truck to the digesting and emulsifyingassembly. The enzyme digest in the protein solubles mixture works bestbetween about 100 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the digestingand emulsifying assembly heats the mixture if needed and onlyperiodically recirculates it until the enzymatic digest has altered theprotein solubles to a mostly liquid state. The digested protein solublesare then run through an emulsifier to completely disperse the fats andproteins. The digested and emulsified proteins are then pumped into aseparator tank and the bottom layer of water is drained offperiodically, leaving the emulsified proteins. The water layer is thenrecycled back to the portion of the system where the enzymatic digest ismade. The remaining emulsified proteins are then transferred to thedrying system.

The dryer system uses a carrier for surface absorption of moisture,extrusion, air flow, and heat to accomplish the removal of moisture. Acarrier such as cereal, soybean meal, corn or wheat mids is fed througha volumetric feeder to a mill where it is finely ground to provide amplesurface area for absorption. The carrier is then conveyed to a mixerwhere it is mixed with the emulsified proteins until a doughlikeconsistency is reached. At this point, the dough is fed into an extruderto remove additional moisture and to extrude dough pellet-like pieceswhich are then moved by oscillating belt to the drying apparatus.

The drying apparatus includes a dryer bed which, in the preferredembodiment, is a conveyor belt enclosed in a housing. The housingalternates air flow direction and has heat zones for removing yet moremoisture content and a cooling zone to return the pellet-like pieces tonear room temperature. The pellet-like pieces are moved progressivelythrough the air flow, the heat zones and the cooling zone by theconveyor. Next, the pellet-like pieces are sized and then run over avibrating screen to separate the fines and overs. Finally, theappropriately and uniformly sized pellet-like pieces are packaged.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciated from the following description. The descriptionmakes reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided forillustration of the preferred embodiment. However, such embodiment doesnot represent the full scope of the invention. The subject matter whichthe inventor does regard as his invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of thisspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mobile grinding assembly portion ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the enzymatic digest mixing assembly portionof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mobile grinding assembly portion of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the mobile grinding assembly of FIG.3;

FIG. 4 a is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the grinder of thegrinding assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the digesting and emulsifying assembly portionof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the components of the dough mixingapparatus and extruder of the drying system portion of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the drying apparatus of the drying systemportion of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the components of the apparatus fornatural recycling of protein waste of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The apparatus and process for naturally recycling protein waste of thepresent invention comprises an enzymatic digest mixing assembly showngenerally as 15 in FIG. 2, a mobile grinding assembly shown generally as40 in FIGS. 3 and 4, a digesting and emulsifying assembly showngenerally as 100 in FIG. 5, and a drying system shown generally as 120in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the process is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 and requires thatan enzymatic digest medium 18 of a particular pH level be prepared andstored until such time as it is needed. The medium of the preferredembodiment comprises enzymes 204, inedible egg 206, a preservative 208and water. The enzymes 204 may include protease to break down and digestmost proteins, and keratinase to aid in digestion of feathers and thepreferred embodiment contemplates a mixture of preservative 2 lbs/ton,enzyme 1½ lbs/ton, and the remainder per ton of inedible egg. Thepreservative 208 restricts multiplication of bacteria or microorganismswhich could adversely affect the end product. An example of one suchpreservative 208 is sodium meta-bisulfite. Although inedible egg is alogical choice when the apparatus is used in conjunction with poultryproduction, other fluid wastes such as outdated ice cream, molasses,milk by products, and others that include proteins, fat, and water couldbe appropriately substituted.

In the preferred embodiment, the pH is adjusted by measured addition ofphosphoric acid 36 to maintain an optimal level of pH 5 or within therange of about 4-6. Using phosphoric acid 36 to effect a change in pHalso adds phosphorous to the medium and, in turn, provides a highphosphorous product which may enhance the desirability of the additivefor animal feed. Other acidic solutions may also be used. For example,lactic acid is one such reasonable alternative. In the case where lacticacid is used, the fermentation process which occurs as a naturalconsequence of the use of lactic acid, (in addition to digestion byenzymes) also acts to break down the protein waste and lowers the pH atthe same time.

Protein waste in the form of spent hens 216 is then ground and theenzymatic digest medium 18 and ground protein waste 41 are thoroughlymixed and re-circulated through a chopper pump 88 to produce a proteinsolubles mixture 84. The protein solubles mixture 84 is maintained at orheated to a temperature optimal for enzyme digestive action which rangesbetween about 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit andrecirculated periodically until the mixture is mostly liquid. The heatcreated by the exothermic digestive process and the friction ofrecirculation in certain conditions may be enough to maintain theoptimal temperature and, if not, additional heat can be provided. Thepreferred method suggests recirculating the mixture for 1 hour every 12hours for 3-4 days, however, the speed of the process may be increasedif additional enzyme is used. When the protein solubles mixture 84 canbe strained and the number of quills remaining in the strainer isacceptable, the digestion is complete. The protein solubles mixture 84is then emulsified to disperse fats and proteins and allowed toseparate. The resulting water layer 114 is drained off and recycled tobe re-used for mixing enzymatic digest medium 18 and, after draining thewater layer 114 several times, the emulsified proteins 110 is mixed witha carrier 132.

The carrier 132 is delivered to a high speed mixer 140 by volumetricfeeder 130 and comprises a relatively high surface area to volume ratiowhich acts to absorb some of the moisture. Upon mixing with saidemulsified proteins 110, a doughlike mixture 144 is produced. Thedoughlike mixture 144 is then extruded into a plurality of pellet-likepieces 146 and the pellet-like pieces are passed through a dryingapparatus 126 which uses air flow, multiple heat zones, and at least onecooling zone for further removal of moisture. The pellet-like pieces arefinally sized through a roller mill 166 to a uniform, granular size. Theoff-size pellet-like pieces are removed and the remaining uniform,granular pellet-like pieces can be packaged. The apparatus used toaccomplish the foregoing process is described below.

The enzymatic digest mixing assembly 15 shown best in FIG. 2 is used tomix enzymes 204, inedible egg 206, and a preservative 208 with water toform an enzymatic digest medium 18 of an optimal pH level 19 andcomprises at least one enzymatic digest mixing tank 22, pumping means24, a re-circulating assembly 26 and means for adjusting the pH level ofthe medium which, in the preferred embodiment, is a pH adjustmentassembly 28. Said pumping means 24 of the preferred embodiment comprisesa first centrifugal pump and said re-circulating assembly 26 comprises afirst inductor nozzle 27 associated with said pumping means 24 and areturn pipe 29 for circulating the enzymatic digest medium 18. Thepreferred embodiment includes load cells 25 associated with a digitalscale 25 a and positioned such that addition of the enzymes,preservatives, inedible egg can be measured. It is also contemplatedthat, in addition to external measuring of the ingredients, otherinternal measurement options such ultrasound and light beams may be usedto monitor the amounts of each ingredient as it is added.

Said pH adjustment assembly 28 of the preferred embodiment comprises apH probe 30, a pH monitor 32, and a first positive displacement pump 34all electrically associated, and a supply of acidic solution 36 fluidlyconnected to said positive displacement pump 34 and to said mixing tank22 through a check valve 38. Said first positive displacement pump 34 ofthe preferred embodiment includes a variable speed motor, preferablypumping 1-10 gallons per minute. Once said enzymatic digest medium 18 isplaced in the mixing tank 22 and recirculated for at least 3-5 minute,said pH probe 30 provides pH level 31 to the pH monitor 32. The pHmonitor 32 compares the pH level 31 with the optimal level 19 and sendsa signal to the positive displacement pump 34 to move said acidicsolution 36 into said mixing tank 22 where recirculation continues. There-circulating assembly 26 continues to mix the enzymatic digest medium18 and the pH probe 30 again measures the pH level 31, the monitor 32compares the level 31 to the optimal level 19, and again determineswhether acidic solution 36 should be added to the mixing tank 22. Whenthe pH level 31 reaches the optimal level 19, the enzymatic digest 18 isready to be used or stored.

The enzymatic digest medium 18 of the preferred embodiment includes, perton, about 2½ pounds of protease and keratinase 204, about 2 pounds ofpreservative 208, and the remaining pounds inedible egg and water 206.The pH is lowered to about 5 by addition of phosphoric acid 36. This pHlevel is optimal for this particular enzymatic digest medium, however arange from about 4-6 may be effective and the amount of enzyme may bealtered according to the speed of digestion desired and the enzymesused.

Once said enzymatic digest medium 18 has been prepared, it can either bestored or it can be moved via tanker truck 37 to the mobile grindingassembly 40 where it will be mixed with ground protein waste 41.Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, said mobile grinding assembly 40comprises a movable platform 42 which, in the preferred embodiment, is asemi trailer, and includes a front portion 43, a mid portion 44 and arear portion 45, a conveyor belt 56 for moving protein waste, a holdingtank 58 in which said enzymatic digest 18 is stored, at least one preptank 60, 62, and a pump 64 to move said enzymatic digest medium 18 fromsaid holding tank 58 to said at least one prep tank 60, 62. Said mobilegrinding assembly 40 further comprises grinding means 66 which, in thepreferred embodiment, (shown in FIG. 4 a) comprises a grinder inlet 67positioned near said conveyor belt 56, a grinder plate 68, and a grinderoutlet 69 and at least one grinder knife 70 wherein said grinder outlet69 is positioned such that output from said grinder outlet 69 may flowby closed connection 71 into a hydro pump 82 said hydro pump 82 having alower outlet 74. A specific example of grinding means 66 is a WeilerMeat Grinder utilizing a 7/16″ plate. However, different platecombinations can be used such as double-cut, double-knife combinationswith a ¾″ or ⅜″ plate. In this situation, one knife is positioned on theinside of the grinder plate 68 and another on the outside of the grinderplate 68.

Said grinding assembly 40 further comprises mixing means 80 which, inthe preferred embodiment, comprises at least one second positivedisplacement pump 72, which is fluidly connected to said at least oneprep tank 60, 62 and to said hydro pump 82 of the grinding means 66 suchthat said enzymatic digest medium 18 can be moved to said hydro pump 82where said output 70 from said grinder outlet 69 is mixed with saidenzymatic digest medium 18 to form a protein solubles mixture 84. Saidenzymatic digest medium 18 is pumped against said grinder outlet 69 andwashes ground protein waste down into the hydro pump 82. Said loweroutlet 74 of said hydro pump 82 is fluidly connected to a suction side86 of a centrifugal chopper pump 88 which is further associated withsaid at least one prep tank 60 or 62 and a recirculation piping system90 including an inductor nozzle 92. This arrangement provides a way tomove said protein solubles mixture 84 through said chopper pump 88 andinto said prep tank 60 via said inductor nozzle 92 which is positionedto generate a circular flow in said prep tank 60. The mixture 84 iscontinually recirculated through the chopper pump 88 until it is ofdesired consistency and thoroughly mixed. This usually requires severalminutes.

The protein solubles mixture 84 is then transported to said digestingand emulsifying assembly 100 shown in FIG. 5 either via pumping itdirectly or by pumping it first to a tanker truck 94 and then to theassembly 100. The mobile grinding assembly 40 is a closed system whereinthe grinder inlet 67 is the only input open to the environment.

Where more than one prep tank 60, 62 is present, one prep tank 60 may berecirculated or unloaded while another is being filled and recirculated.In this embodiment, a separate chopper pump is associated with each preptank.

In one embodiment, said front portion 43 of said movable platform 42 isoccupied by a power source 75 in the form of a generator, said midportion 44 of the movable platform 42 accommodates the holding tank 58and prep tanks 60, 62, and said rear portion 45 includes said grindingmeans 66 and said conveyor belt 56. Said at least one prep tank 60, 62of the preferred embodiment is a cone-bottomed tank.

Said digesting and emulsifying assembly 100 of the preferred embodimentis stationary rather than mobile. The digesting and emulsifying assembly100 comprises a digester tank 102 for digesting said protein solublesmixture 84, a heating means 103 and recirculation means 104 for periodicmixing including a chopper pump 105, and an emulsifier 106 fluidlyconnected to a pump 107, said digester tank 102, and a separator tank108.

In the preferred embodiment, said digester tank 102 is cone-bottomedwherein the cone-bottom 115 is enclosed in a housing 116 and saidheating means 103 comprises water 117 enclosed in said housing 116 whichis heated by a heating element 118 to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Inturn, the protein solubles mixture 84 is also warmed to a temperatureranging from about 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Theprotein solubles mixture 84 is recirculated while it digestsapproximately 1 hour every 12 hours and for a total of 3-4 days. Incertain conditions, the heat produced by the circulation friction andthe exothermic digestive process may provide enough heat to maintain thedigest medium at optimal temperature reducing or negating the need foradding heat.

Once digested, said protein solubles mixture 84 is pumped into saidemulsifier 106 to suspend fats and proteins and produce emulsifiedproteins 110 which are then transferred to said separator tank 108. Anexample of an emulsifier suitable for this purpose in the MincemasterDual Plate. Said separator tank 108 comprises a closeable opening 112fluidly associated with said enzymatic digest medium mixing tank 22 suchthat as a water layer 114 forms in said separator tank 108, it can bedrained out and recycled for use in mixing additional digest medium 18.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the emulsified proteins 110 are moved tosaid drying system 120 which comprises a dough mixing apparatus 122, anextruder 124 and a drying apparatus 126. The dough mixing apparatus 122of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6 comprises a volumetricfeeder 130 for measuring an absorbing carrier 132 to be mixed with saidemulsified proteins 110 and which is positioned over a mill 134 forfinely grinding said absorbing carrier 132. The mill 134 of thepreferred embodiment is a high speed hammer mill or disc mill. A secondconveyor belt 136 moves said absorbing carrier 132 from said mill 134 toa high speed continuous mixer 140. A third positive displacement pump142 is associated with said separator tank 108 and moves said emulsifiedproteins 110 to said high speed mixer 140 where it is mixed with saidabsorbing carrier 132 to produce a doughlike mixture 144. In thepreferred embodiment, said absorbing carrier 132 is a substance withcharacteristics like wheat mids, soybean meal, corn, or a previouslydried material made for such purpose and the third positive displacementpump is of the variable speed variety.

The doughlike mixture 144 is moved to said extruder 124 whichpressure-forces moisture out of the doughlike mixture 144 and produces aplurality of pellet-like pieces 146. In the preferred embodiment thepellet-like pieces are 3/16″ and of random length. Said pellet-likepieces 146 are extruded onto an oscillating belt 148 which distributesthe pellet-like pieces 146 evenly and connects said extruder 124 to saiddrying apparatus 126. Additional moisture is removed by the dryingapparatus 126 using heat and air movement. Said drying apparatus 126shown best in FIG. 7 comprises a dryer bed 150 positioned to receivesaid pellet-like pieces 146 from said oscillating belt 148, a housing152 through which a dryer bed conveyor belt 154 moves and conveys saidpellet-like pieces 146 and which includes at least one heating zone 156,158, 160, at least one cooling zone 162, and means to direct airflow164. A roller mill 166 receives said pellet-like pieces 146 after theyemerge from said housing 152 and sizes said plurality of pellet-likepieces 146 to a uniform size. A vibrating screen 170 is used to removeany of said plurality of said pellet-like pieces 146 which are of anon-uniform size. Means to direct airflow 164 may comprise fanspositioned to alternate the flow of air to provide uniformity in drying.In the preferred embodiment, said heat zones 156, 158, 160 providetemperatures of 300, 275, and 250 Fahrenheit, in this order, such thatthe maximum temperature of the plurality of pellet-like pieces does notexceed 250. If the heat of the pellet-like pieces 146 exceeds this leveltheir taste can be too bitter and the amino acids can be degraded. Thecool zone 162 returns the pellet-like pieces 146 to within 10 degrees ofambient temperature. Vents 171 return the heated air from the cool zone162 to the heat zones.

Thus, the present invention has been described in an illustrativemanner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been usedis intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. For example, it may be possible for allparts of the system to be made in mobile form or for none of the systemto be mobile. Many different pumps are available and may be usedaccording to need. The enzymatic digest medium can be altered toaccommodate different protein/bone/feather combinations. Therefore,within the scope of the appended claims, the inventor so defines hisinvention:

1. A process for recycling protein waste comprising the steps of: a)providing an apparatus comprising: i. an enzymatic digest mixingassembly for mixing a medium and for adjusting its pH level; ii. amobile grinding assembly mounted on a movable platform and comprisinggrinding means for protein waste and mixing means for combining saidground protein waste and said enzymatic digest medium to produce aprotein solubles mixture; iii. a digesting and emulsification assembly;iv. a drying system comprising a dough mixing apparatus, an extruder,and a drying apparatus; b) preparing an enzymatic digest medium bymixing within said enzymatic digest mixing assembly an enzyme and afluid waste, said fluid waste being substantially liquid and includingprotein, fat, and water and adjusting a pH level of said enzymaticdigest medium to a pH between about 4 and about 6; c) grinding agenerally solid protein waste using said grinding means and mixing saidgenerally solid protein waste with said enzymatic digest medium usingsaid mixing means to produce said protein solubles mixture comprising amixture of said generally solid protein waste and said enzymatic digestmedium; d) maintaining said protein solubles mixture at a temperatureoptimal for enzymatic digestion using said digesting and emulsificationassembly; e) periodically recirculating said protein solubles mixture toinsure complete enzymatic digestion; f) emulsifying said proteinsolubles mixture using said digesting and emulsification assembly todisperse said protein, said fat, and said water to produce emulsifiedproteins; g) allowing separation of said water into a water layer,removing said water layer, and recycling said water layer in preparingsaid enzymatic digest; h) mixing said emulsified proteins with a carrierusing said dough mixing apparatus; i) extruding a doughlike mixtureusing said extruder into a plurality of pellet-like pieces; j) evenlydrying said plurality of pellet-like pieces using said drying apparatus;and k) sizing said plurality of pellet-like pieces to uniform size andretaining said uniformly sized pellet-like pieces.
 2. The process forrecycling protein waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid wastefurther includes an inedible egg substance and the step of preparing anenzymatic digest medium further comprises mixing at least one enzyme,said inedible egg substance, and at least one preservative.
 3. Theprocess for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 2, whereinadjusting said pH level comprises adding phosphoric acid or lactic acid.4. The process for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 2,wherein said enzymatic digest medium comprises about two pounds per tonof at least one preservative, about one and one half pounds per ton ofprotease and keratinase, and about one thousand nine hundred ninety sixpounds per ton of inedible egg substance.
 5. The process for recyclingprotein waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of mixing saidprotein waste with said enzymatic digest medium comprises recirculatingsaid protein solubles mixture through a chopper pump to insure adequategrinding and thorough mixing with said enzymatic digest medium.
 6. Theprocess for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein thestep of maintaining said protein solubles mixture at an optimaltemperature is carried out by a heating element placed in a housingfilled with water and surrounding a digester tank containing saidprotein solubles mixture and said optimal temperature is between about90 degrees and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
 7. The process for recyclingprotein waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier furthercomprises ground wheat mids, ground corn mids, or soybean meal.
 8. Theprocess for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein thestep of evenly drying said plurality of pellet-like pieces comprisessubjecting said pellet-like pieces to at least one heat zone for heatingsaid pellet-like pieces, at least one cool zone for returning thepellet-like pieces to at least about within ten degrees of ambienttemperature, and alternating airflow to provide uniformity in drying. 9.The process for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe step of sizing said plurality of pellet-like pieces is carried outby moving said pieces through a roller mill for uniform sizing and thenusing a vibrating screen to retain only said pellet-like pieces ofuniform size.
 10. The process for recycling protein waste as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the step of preparing an enzymatic digest mediumcomprises mixing at least one enzyme, an inedible egg substance, and atleast one preservative and adjusting said pH level to between about 4and 6 by adding phosphoric acid; the step of grinding and mixing saidprotein waste and said enzymatic digest medium is carried out by agrinder and recirculation through a chopper pump; and the step ofmaintaining said protein solubles mixture at an optimal temperaturecomprises using a heating element to provide heat required to maintaintemperature between about 90 degrees and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
 11. Theprocess for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 10, wherein thestep of drying said plurality of pellet-like pieces comprises heatingsaid pellet-like pieces, cooling said pellet-like pieces, and providingalternating air flow to said pellet-like pieces.
 12. The process forrecycling protein waste as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least oneenzyme comprises protease or keratinase and wherein said acidic solutioncomprises phosphoric acid or lactic acid.
 13. The process for recyclingprotein waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of evenly dryingfurther comprises providing air flow to said pellet-like pieces.
 14. Theprocess for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidstep of periodically recirculating said protein solubles mixturecomprises recirculation for one hour every twelve hours for three tofour days.
 15. The process for recycling protein waste as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said carrier comprises a high surface area to volumeratio sufficient to absorb at least some moisture from said emulsifiedproteins and produces a doughlike mixture.
 16. A process for recyclingprotein waste comprising the steps of: a) providing a mobile grindingassembly mounted on a movable platform and comprising grinding means forprotein waste and mixing means for combining said ground protein wasteand said enzymatic digest medium to produce a protein solubles mixture;b) preparing an enzymatic digest medium by mixing an enzyme and a fluidwaste, said fluid waste being substantially liquid and includingprotein, fat, and water and adjusting a pH level of said enzymaticdigest medium to a pH between about 4 and about 6; c) grinding agenerally solid protein waste using said grinding means and mixing saidgenerally solid protein waste with said enzymatic digest medium usingsaid mixing means to produce a protein solubles mixture comprising amixture of said generally solid protein waste and said enzymatic digestmedium; d) maintaining said protein solubles mixture at a temperatureoptimal for enzymatic digestion; e) periodically recirculating saidprotein solubles mixture to insure complete enzymatic digestion; f)emulsifying said protein solubles mixture to disperse said protein, saidfat, and said water to produce emulsified proteins; g) allowingseparation of said water into a water layer, removing said water layer,and recycling said water layer in preparing said enzymatic digest; h)mixing said emulsified proteins with a carrier using said dough mixingapparatus; i) extruding a doughlike mixture into a plurality ofpellet-like pieces; j) evenly drying said plurality of pellet-likepieces; and k) sizing said plurality of pellet-like pieces to uniformsize and retaining said uniformly sized pellet-like pieces.
 17. Theprocess for recycling protein waste as claimed in claim 16, wherein thestep of mixing said protein waste with said enzymatic digest mediumcomprises recirculating said protein solubles mixture through a chopperpump to insure adequate grinding and thorough mixing with said enzymaticdigest medium.
 18. The process for recycling protein waste as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the step of maintaining said protein solubles mixtureat an optimal temperature is carried out by a heating element placed ina housing filled with water and surrounding a digester tank containingsaid protein solubles mixture.
 19. The process for recycling proteinwaste as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of evenly drying saidplurality of pellet-like pieces comprises subjecting said pellet-likepieces to at least one heat zone for heating said pellet-like pieces, atleast one cool zone for returning the pellet-like pieces to at leastabout within ten degrees of ambient temperature, and alternating airflowto provide uniformity in drying.
 20. The process for recycling proteinwaste as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of sizing said pluralityof pellet-like pieces is carried out by moving said pieces through aroller mill for uniform sizing and then using a vibrating screen toretain only said pellet-like pieces of uniform size.
 21. A process forrecycling protein waste comprising the steps of: a) providing anapparatus comprising: i. an enzymatic digest mixing assembly for mixinga medium and for adjusting its pH level; ii. a grinding means forprotein waste; iii. mixing means for combining said ground protein wasteand said enzymatic digest medium to produce a protein solubles mixture;iv. a digesting and emulsification assembly v. a drying systemcomprising a dough mixing apparatus, an extruder, and a dryingapparatus; and b) preparing an enzymatic digest medium by mixing withinsaid enzymatic digest mixing assembly an enzyme and a fluid waste, saidfluid waste being substantially liquid and including protein, fat, andwater and adjusting a pH level of said enzymatic digest medium to a pHbetween about 4 and about 6; c) grinding a generally solid protein wasteusing said grinding means and mixing said generally solid protein wastewith said enzymatic digest medium using said mixing means to producesaid protein solubles mixture comprising a mixture of said generallysolid protein waste and said enzymatic digest medium; d) maintainingsaid protein solubles mixture at a temperature optimal for enzymaticdigestion using said digesting and emulsification assembly; e)periodically recirculating said protein solubles mixture to insurecomplete enzymatic digestion; f) emulsifying said protein solublesmixture using said digesting and emulsification assembly to dispersesaid protein, said fat, and said water to produce emulsified proteins;g) allowing separation of said water into a water layer, removing saidwater layer, and recycling said water layer in preparing said enzymaticdigest; h) mixing said emulsified proteins with a carrier using saiddough mixing apparatus; i) extruding a doughlike mixture using saidextruder into a plurality of pellet-like pieces; j) evenly drying saidplurality of pellet-like pieces using said drying apparatus; and k)sizing said plurality of pellet-like pieces to uniform size andretaining said uniformly sized pellet-like pieces.